In the glass
Aroma: yellow apple, almond, honeysuckle, wet stone
Palate: lemon curd, hazelnut, salinity, creamy oak
Italy's pioneering barrique-aged Chardonnay, in continuous production at the high-altitude Pomino estate since 1973.
What it pairs with
-
Lardo di Colonnata on toast
Cured pork fat meets the wine's salty mineral. -
Pollo arrosto with rosemary
Roast chicken with oak-aged Chardonnay. -
Risotto with porcini
Hazelnut-oak meets mushroom umami.
How to serve Pomino Benefizio Riserva
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Lardo di Colonnata on toast, Pollo arrosto with rosemary, Risotto with porcini. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Benefizio is Frescobaldi's barrique-aged Chardonnay from high-altitude Pomino (550 to 700 metres), pioneering Italian oak-aged Chardonnay since 1973.
- 1973 — First barrique-aged Pomino Benefizio Chardonnay
Facts
- Producer
- Frescobaldi Tenuta di Pomino
- Grapes
- Chardonnay (100%)
- Classification
- Pomino DOC Bianco Riserva
- Oak
- 12 months in French oak barriques, partial malolactic
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 30 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3 to 12 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1973
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2021 vintage, reviewed 2023)
- Vinous 93 (2020 vintage, reviewed 2023)
Frequently asked about Pomino Benefizio Riserva
What does Pomino Benefizio Riserva taste like?
On the nose, yellow apple, almond, honeysuckle, wet stone. On the palate, lemon curd, hazelnut, salinity, creamy oak. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. Italy's pioneering barrique-aged Chardonnay, in continuous production at the high-altitude Pomino estate since 1973.
When should I drink Pomino Benefizio Riserva?
Drink 3 to 12 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Pomino Benefizio Riserva?
Lardo di Colonnata on toast is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Pollo arrosto with rosemary and Risotto with porcini. Cured pork fat meets the wine's salty mineral.
What grapes are in Pomino Benefizio Riserva?
The blend is Chardonnay (100%). The wine is classified as Pomino DOC Bianco Riserva.